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Naya KPK | News & Updates on the development in KPK.
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nomi007
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All polio environmental samples test negative for the first time
ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the country’s history, all the environmental samples for polio have tested negative.
A total of 40 samples, collected under the supervision of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in mid-April from 14 cities, were analysed at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
A sample is deemed positive if the polio virus is found in sewerage water, which is the basic parameter to determine if anti-polio campaigns have been successful.
While cases of polio can be reported from any city, due to the frequent movement of people, if the virus is found in sewerage it means the anti-polio campaign in that area did not achieve its target.
Experts say opportunity to eradicate poliovirus during low transmission season must not be missed
The presence of the poliovirus in sewerage also means that the immunity level of children in the area has fallen, and they are at risk of contracting the disease.
The head of the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr Rana Safdar, said the negative environmental samples were “great news” for the country.
But he added that while it was a notable achievement, this did not mean the poliovirus had been eradicated.
“Polio cases have been reported in some areas, which means the virus is still present in small pockets. However, an opportunity has been created to eradicate the virus during the current year,” he told Dawn.
A health expert, who is not authorised to speak on the record, said the negative samples are good news, but it is necessary to analyse the trend of the virus.
“The trend of the virus also shows that it can be eradicated. We had two major hubs of the virus: Peshawar and Karachi. In Peshawar initially we used to get three positive samples. Then it declined to two, and then one. Now not a single environmental sample has been found positive. The trend in Karachi is the same,” he said.
“The summer season makes the results more important because the poliovirus becomes active in high temperatures,” he said.
“Negative samples show that the intensity of the virus has decreased. If it remains low until September, the polio programme should run an aggressive campaign during the low transmissions season; that is the only way the virus can be eradicated.”
He said: “We had a similar opportunity in 2005, when 28 polio cases were reported but we missed the train. Now we have an opportunity once again, and we should not let the string slip again. If the intensity of the virus increases it will take many years to reach this stage.”
So far, 11 polio cases have been reported this year, which has decreased from 54 reported last year.
Of the 40 samples, one was collected from Islamabad, Jacobabad and Hyderabad each, two from Rawalpindi, Killa Abdullah and Sukkur each, three from Peshawar, Multan, DG Khan, Faisalabad and Quetta each, four from DI Khan and seven from Karachi.
Last year, 22pc of the environmental samples tested positive, and 9pc of the samples tested positive in the first three months of this year.
A health expert said the samples were collected in the presence of WHO surveillance officers and taken to the NIH.
Dr Safdar said it has been decided that after Ramazan small-scale campaigns will be conducted in focus areas where children’s immunity level is low.
“The low transmission season will start in September, so after that, nationwide campaigns will be held to eradicate the virus for good,” he said.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016
==============================================================================
KP government has aimed to restore 384,000 hectares of degraded land (by reforestation) under its ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ project.
ISLAMABAD: For the first time in the country’s history, all the environmental samples for polio have tested negative.
A total of 40 samples, collected under the supervision of the World Health Organisation (WHO) in mid-April from 14 cities, were analysed at the National Institute of Health (NIH).
A sample is deemed positive if the polio virus is found in sewerage water, which is the basic parameter to determine if anti-polio campaigns have been successful.
While cases of polio can be reported from any city, due to the frequent movement of people, if the virus is found in sewerage it means the anti-polio campaign in that area did not achieve its target.
Experts say opportunity to eradicate poliovirus during low transmission season must not be missed
The presence of the poliovirus in sewerage also means that the immunity level of children in the area has fallen, and they are at risk of contracting the disease.
The head of the National Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Dr Rana Safdar, said the negative environmental samples were “great news” for the country.
But he added that while it was a notable achievement, this did not mean the poliovirus had been eradicated.
“Polio cases have been reported in some areas, which means the virus is still present in small pockets. However, an opportunity has been created to eradicate the virus during the current year,” he told Dawn.
A health expert, who is not authorised to speak on the record, said the negative samples are good news, but it is necessary to analyse the trend of the virus.
“The trend of the virus also shows that it can be eradicated. We had two major hubs of the virus: Peshawar and Karachi. In Peshawar initially we used to get three positive samples. Then it declined to two, and then one. Now not a single environmental sample has been found positive. The trend in Karachi is the same,” he said.
“The summer season makes the results more important because the poliovirus becomes active in high temperatures,” he said.
“Negative samples show that the intensity of the virus has decreased. If it remains low until September, the polio programme should run an aggressive campaign during the low transmissions season; that is the only way the virus can be eradicated.”
He said: “We had a similar opportunity in 2005, when 28 polio cases were reported but we missed the train. Now we have an opportunity once again, and we should not let the string slip again. If the intensity of the virus increases it will take many years to reach this stage.”
So far, 11 polio cases have been reported this year, which has decreased from 54 reported last year.
Of the 40 samples, one was collected from Islamabad, Jacobabad and Hyderabad each, two from Rawalpindi, Killa Abdullah and Sukkur each, three from Peshawar, Multan, DG Khan, Faisalabad and Quetta each, four from DI Khan and seven from Karachi.
Last year, 22pc of the environmental samples tested positive, and 9pc of the samples tested positive in the first three months of this year.
A health expert said the samples were collected in the presence of WHO surveillance officers and taken to the NIH.
Dr Safdar said it has been decided that after Ramazan small-scale campaigns will be conducted in focus areas where children’s immunity level is low.
“The low transmission season will start in September, so after that, nationwide campaigns will be held to eradicate the virus for good,” he said.
Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2016
==============================================================================
KP government has aimed to restore 384,000 hectares of degraded land (by reforestation) under its ‘Billion Tree Tsunami’ project.
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BetterPakistan
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بدل رہا ہے خیبر پختونخوا
پرویز رشید اب تک 'بلین ٹری سونامی ' پر تنقید کر کے نہ تھکتے اور اب ہمارے راستے پر چلتے ہوے 'بلین ٹری سونامی' کی طرز کا پروجیکٹ لا رہے ہیں -
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Real CHANGE comes through Depoliticised & Professionals-Based Institutions of Government; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police achieving New Milestones with each passing day !
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The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary & Secondary Education Department has established 1413 community schools for girls by investing Rs 1.35 billion in the last three years. This means that 67,767 more children are being educated in these schools across the province.
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Promises being Fulfilled - Closed schools made functional.
پرویز رشید اب تک 'بلین ٹری سونامی ' پر تنقید کر کے نہ تھکتے اور اب ہمارے راستے پر چلتے ہوے 'بلین ٹری سونامی' کی طرز کا پروجیکٹ لا رہے ہیں -
=============================================================================================
Real CHANGE comes through Depoliticised & Professionals-Based Institutions of Government; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police achieving New Milestones with each passing day !
===============================================================================
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary & Secondary Education Department has established 1413 community schools for girls by investing Rs 1.35 billion in the last three years. This means that 67,767 more children are being educated in these schools across the province.
====================================================================================
Promises being Fulfilled - Closed schools made functional.
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BetterPakistan
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Ecole Fatima Al Fihri ! Residential school for girls will be completed in1 year with estimated cost of 23 crore IA
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بدل رہا ہے خیبر پختونخوا -
DI.Khan
ہسپتال میں جدید دیلیسس مشین پوھنچ گئی - اب انشااللہ مریضوں کو ارزاں جدید دیلیسس کی سہولت سرکاری ہسپتال میں میسر ہو گی
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خیبر پختونخواہ حکومت کے بڑے منصوبوں میں سے ایک دیر لوئر کوٹو ہائیڈرو پاور ڈیم۔
7.1 ارب روپے کے لاگت سے بننے والا کوٹو دیر لوئر ہائیڈرو پاور جس کے تعمیر پر تیزی سے کام جاری ہے، 2018 تک کوٹو ہائیڈرو پاور منصوبہ مکمل ہونے کے بعد اس پاور ڈیم سے مالاکنڈ ڈویژن کے تمام اضلاع کو بجلی فراہم ہوگی۔ جبکہ اضافی بجلی صوبے کے کچھ اور باقی اضلاع کو دی جائیگی، جس کے بدولت 2018 تک خیبر پختونخواہ سے بجلی کا مسلئہ مکمل ختم ہو جائیگا۔
DI.Khan
ہسپتال میں جدید دیلیسس مشین پوھنچ گئی - اب انشااللہ مریضوں کو ارزاں جدید دیلیسس کی سہولت سرکاری ہسپتال میں میسر ہو گی
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خیبر پختونخواہ حکومت کے بڑے منصوبوں میں سے ایک دیر لوئر کوٹو ہائیڈرو پاور ڈیم۔
7.1 ارب روپے کے لاگت سے بننے والا کوٹو دیر لوئر ہائیڈرو پاور جس کے تعمیر پر تیزی سے کام جاری ہے، 2018 تک کوٹو ہائیڈرو پاور منصوبہ مکمل ہونے کے بعد اس پاور ڈیم سے مالاکنڈ ڈویژن کے تمام اضلاع کو بجلی فراہم ہوگی۔ جبکہ اضافی بجلی صوبے کے کچھ اور باقی اضلاع کو دی جائیگی، جس کے بدولت 2018 تک خیبر پختونخواہ سے بجلی کا مسلئہ مکمل ختم ہو جائیگا۔
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Spreading wings: Health insurance to be extended to other districts
PESHAWAR: After receiving a positive response from the public on the health insurance policy, the health department has decided to extend the scheme to all districts of the province.
Health officials said the initiative has been touted as an attempt to alleviate poverty and improve health of the public. As a result, it has been decided the policy would be extended to other districts.
“Now, we will extend the Social Health Protection Initiative to the whole province, during budget for fiscal year 2016-17, and launch its second phase so that every deserving person can benefit from it,” a senior health official told The Express Tribune on Saturday.
He requested anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media.
The official added the scheme will cover costs of hospital services, including medicines, general surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, ophthalmological treatment and ear, nose and throat services. He maintained the insurance applied to a seven-member family.
A document available with The Express Tribune stated the decision has been taken after the government felt the initiative benefited the public not only by reducing poverty, but also by improving the status of health of the public.
The second phase, according to the document, will cost around Rs3 billion per year. It also includes premium for up to 50% of the population – it would be paid by the provincial government for secondary and tertiary health care services, besides administrative costs. The policy in other districts will be launched this month.
Benefits and coverage
As per the documents, the scheme will cover the costs of hospitalization It read the families will be selected on the basis of the criteria set for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
“The percentage of the population, whose premium will be paid, will be determined by the provincial government – it is expected to be up to 50% of the population [which makes 12,800,000 individuals] of the whole province, including over 1.83 million families.
The document read annual benefits for one family for secondary care was Rs0.21 million whereas that for one family annually at tertiary care health facilities was around Rs0.25 million. It added pre-hospitalisation care [one day] and post-hospitalisation [five days] will also be part of the package.
Phase-wise
The first phase of the scheme was launched on January 19, 2015. Initially, the scheme was introduced for only four districts –Mardan, Malakand, Chitral and Kohat. It was then said the programme would be extended to other areas of the province.
The premium per family, during the first phase, was Rs1,700 annually and the coverage per family was Rs175,000 per annum [per person coverage Rs25,000 per annum].
The scheme, introduced along the lines of social security programmes in developed countries, enables the deserving ones to receive medical assistance at both private and public hospitals across the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2016.
==============================================================
Aid oversight: British envoy visits Mardan to review education and health support
ISLAMABAD: It was good to see how local communities are working to promote improvements in primary health services.
This was said by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew on Thursday on a visit to Mardan, where he toured two schools and a Basic Health Unit.
The schools are being supported by the UK’s education sector programme in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The programme comprises both financial support to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department and a school reconstruction and rehabilitation programme.
The boys’ Government Higher Secondary School in Mayar has been revamped by to include 13 classrooms, new offices for the principal and the administration, and a new toilet block with 11 washrooms, including one for children with disabilities.
The girls’ Government Higher Secondary School in Par Hoti will have 19 new classrooms which will allow many more girls to attend school. When fully functional, the two schools will help educate more than 2,100 students, including 1,260 girls.
The high commissioner also visited a Basic Health Unit in Sheikh Maltoon, which is supported by UK aid. The unit provides basic outpatient and preventive health services, including nutrition, family planning and routine immunisation for underprivileged local communities.
Drew also met K-P Education Minister Atif Khan and K-P Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai to discuss provincial public service priorities and the UK’s ongoing support programmes in the education and health sectors.
“While visiting the two schools, I was able to see for myself how our support for construction work is allowing more young people to go to school and have a better learning environment; and how our support to the K-P government is improving the quality of teaching and learning. He also expressed pleasure at the impact UK aid is having at the BHU he visited.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2016.
=====================================================================================
Eradicating Corruption at the Grass Roots in KP
PESHAWAR: After receiving a positive response from the public on the health insurance policy, the health department has decided to extend the scheme to all districts of the province.
Health officials said the initiative has been touted as an attempt to alleviate poverty and improve health of the public. As a result, it has been decided the policy would be extended to other districts.
“Now, we will extend the Social Health Protection Initiative to the whole province, during budget for fiscal year 2016-17, and launch its second phase so that every deserving person can benefit from it,” a senior health official told The Express Tribune on Saturday.
He requested anonymity since he was not authorised to speak to the media.
The official added the scheme will cover costs of hospital services, including medicines, general surgery, gynaecology and obstetrics, ophthalmological treatment and ear, nose and throat services. He maintained the insurance applied to a seven-member family.
A document available with The Express Tribune stated the decision has been taken after the government felt the initiative benefited the public not only by reducing poverty, but also by improving the status of health of the public.
The second phase, according to the document, will cost around Rs3 billion per year. It also includes premium for up to 50% of the population – it would be paid by the provincial government for secondary and tertiary health care services, besides administrative costs. The policy in other districts will be launched this month.
Benefits and coverage
As per the documents, the scheme will cover the costs of hospitalization It read the families will be selected on the basis of the criteria set for Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).
“The percentage of the population, whose premium will be paid, will be determined by the provincial government – it is expected to be up to 50% of the population [which makes 12,800,000 individuals] of the whole province, including over 1.83 million families.
The document read annual benefits for one family for secondary care was Rs0.21 million whereas that for one family annually at tertiary care health facilities was around Rs0.25 million. It added pre-hospitalisation care [one day] and post-hospitalisation [five days] will also be part of the package.
Phase-wise
The first phase of the scheme was launched on January 19, 2015. Initially, the scheme was introduced for only four districts –Mardan, Malakand, Chitral and Kohat. It was then said the programme would be extended to other areas of the province.
The premium per family, during the first phase, was Rs1,700 annually and the coverage per family was Rs175,000 per annum [per person coverage Rs25,000 per annum].
The scheme, introduced along the lines of social security programmes in developed countries, enables the deserving ones to receive medical assistance at both private and public hospitals across the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2016.
==============================================================
Aid oversight: British envoy visits Mardan to review education and health support
ISLAMABAD: It was good to see how local communities are working to promote improvements in primary health services.
This was said by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew on Thursday on a visit to Mardan, where he toured two schools and a Basic Health Unit.
The schools are being supported by the UK’s education sector programme in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The programme comprises both financial support to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Elementary and Secondary Education Department and a school reconstruction and rehabilitation programme.
The boys’ Government Higher Secondary School in Mayar has been revamped by to include 13 classrooms, new offices for the principal and the administration, and a new toilet block with 11 washrooms, including one for children with disabilities.
The girls’ Government Higher Secondary School in Par Hoti will have 19 new classrooms which will allow many more girls to attend school. When fully functional, the two schools will help educate more than 2,100 students, including 1,260 girls.
The high commissioner also visited a Basic Health Unit in Sheikh Maltoon, which is supported by UK aid. The unit provides basic outpatient and preventive health services, including nutrition, family planning and routine immunisation for underprivileged local communities.
Drew also met K-P Education Minister Atif Khan and K-P Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai to discuss provincial public service priorities and the UK’s ongoing support programmes in the education and health sectors.
“While visiting the two schools, I was able to see for myself how our support for construction work is allowing more young people to go to school and have a better learning environment; and how our support to the K-P government is improving the quality of teaching and learning. He also expressed pleasure at the impact UK aid is having at the BHU he visited.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2016.
=====================================================================================
Eradicating Corruption at the Grass Roots in KP
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Put it out: K-P plans to clamp down on smoking
PESHAWAR: The health ministry has decided to either curb or altogether eliminate smoking in public places. A draft law with this objective in mind was tabled to impose far more stringent measures than the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2001, which operates at the federal level.
The proposed draft does not provide designated smoking areas in the workplace.
The K-P Prohibition of Smoking/Tobacco Products and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Bill, 2016, drafted by the health department, is a comprehensive plan to stop smoking in public places or on transport.
The draft had already been cleared by the governor and chief minister and submitted to the assembly secretariat.
Budget suggestion: Body seeks removal of all tobacco tax exemptions
The draft varied from the 2001 ordinance in many ways as the latter does not allow smoking at workplaces, but allows room for designated areas on the premises. However, the draft of the provincial law does not allow any such relaxations.
A step further
Even the definition of “tobacco” is more elaborate in the draft, which includes shisha (with or without smoke) into its ambit. At the same time, the federal law includes cigarettes, cigars or pipe in the category of smoking.
The federal law does not allow people to store, sell or distribute cigarettes or any other smoking substance with tobacco within 50 metres of any college, school or educational institute. The provincial government has decided to increase the same to 100 metres. The draft has added health facilities premises and public parks to the non-smoking areas.
The federal law imposed a ban on smoking in places such as auditoriums, health institutes, amusement centres, restaurants, public offices, court buildings as well as cinema, conference and seminar halls.
SC tells govt to curb Shisha tobacco import
Other places include hotel or waiting lounges, libraries, bus stations, sports stadiums, educational institutes and libraries. Although it does not include open spaces, the draft of the provincial law has left no stone unturned to include rooftops, lawns and lobbies of the premises.
The draft states the health ministry will authorise an officer or a competent individual who will act under the ordinance.
“Every person authorised under Subsection 1 shall be deemed a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code” (Act of XLV of 1860),” the ordinance stated.
Ambit of the law
The law will be extended to the whole of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and states that the kind of advertisement such as notices, circulars, display boards, visible representations, symbols, stickers, t-shirts, logos, sportswear, caps or any other means of direct or indirect promotion of smoking will be dealt with accordingly.
The draft states the government may from time to time, by notification in the official gazette, declare any space as for the purpose of the law. The remaining rules are the same as the federal law which will apply to the province after it is officially approved by the governor.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2016.
PESHAWAR: The health ministry has decided to either curb or altogether eliminate smoking in public places. A draft law with this objective in mind was tabled to impose far more stringent measures than the Prohibition of Smoking and Protection of Non-smokers Health Ordinance, 2001, which operates at the federal level.
The proposed draft does not provide designated smoking areas in the workplace.
The K-P Prohibition of Smoking/Tobacco Products and Protection of Non-Smokers Health Bill, 2016, drafted by the health department, is a comprehensive plan to stop smoking in public places or on transport.
The draft had already been cleared by the governor and chief minister and submitted to the assembly secretariat.
Budget suggestion: Body seeks removal of all tobacco tax exemptions
The draft varied from the 2001 ordinance in many ways as the latter does not allow smoking at workplaces, but allows room for designated areas on the premises. However, the draft of the provincial law does not allow any such relaxations.
A step further
Even the definition of “tobacco” is more elaborate in the draft, which includes shisha (with or without smoke) into its ambit. At the same time, the federal law includes cigarettes, cigars or pipe in the category of smoking.
The federal law does not allow people to store, sell or distribute cigarettes or any other smoking substance with tobacco within 50 metres of any college, school or educational institute. The provincial government has decided to increase the same to 100 metres. The draft has added health facilities premises and public parks to the non-smoking areas.
The federal law imposed a ban on smoking in places such as auditoriums, health institutes, amusement centres, restaurants, public offices, court buildings as well as cinema, conference and seminar halls.
SC tells govt to curb Shisha tobacco import
Other places include hotel or waiting lounges, libraries, bus stations, sports stadiums, educational institutes and libraries. Although it does not include open spaces, the draft of the provincial law has left no stone unturned to include rooftops, lawns and lobbies of the premises.
The draft states the health ministry will authorise an officer or a competent individual who will act under the ordinance.
“Every person authorised under Subsection 1 shall be deemed a public servant within the meaning of Section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code” (Act of XLV of 1860),” the ordinance stated.
Ambit of the law
The law will be extended to the whole of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and states that the kind of advertisement such as notices, circulars, display boards, visible representations, symbols, stickers, t-shirts, logos, sportswear, caps or any other means of direct or indirect promotion of smoking will be dealt with accordingly.
The draft states the government may from time to time, by notification in the official gazette, declare any space as for the purpose of the law. The remaining rules are the same as the federal law which will apply to the province after it is officially approved by the governor.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 6th, 2016.
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Peshawar water free from poliovirus
PESHAWAR: The water in Peshawar, one of the polio reservoirs as declared by the World Health Organisation, is free of polio virus, now.
The development comes as the environmental water samples taken from Shaheen Muslim Town in Peshawar have tested negative for polio virus for the first time since November last year mainly due to quality vaccination campaigns, say Islamabad-based health experts.
According to the experts, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department collects samples from sewerage water from three sites located at Shaheen Muslim Town, Larama and Dhando Pul areas to examine presence of polio virus.
Water samples from Shaheen Muslim Town test negative for virus for first time since November last
The May sample’s results suggested that there was no virus in water taken from Shaheen Muslim Town.
The two other sites have already been testing negative for polio virus.
The experts told Dawn that Shaheen Muslim Town was a major source of worry for the authorities engaged in the polio eradication efforts in the province.
They said Peshawar, which had recorded one of the total six cases detected in the province this year, than 10 in corresponding period last year, was one of the high-risk districts as it received migrant children from Fata as well as Afghanistan on daily basis.
The experts said the negativity of the environmental sample was a marked success by the province, considering the population movement from areas in Afghanistan, where the virus was in full circulation.
They said the sample report, which had yet to be formally released by the department, was the result of the past few effective campaigns in Peshawar, which also served as transit point for more 10,000 children visiting it from other districts every day.
The experts said the Shaheen Muslim Town water testing negative for polio virus had also confirmed that around 20 union councils were safe as polio virus was non-existent in both, the people and water.
They said water samples from as many UCs had long been free from virus in the city located near Fata.
The experts said vaccinators in 15 districts of the province had administered injectable polio vaccine to 170,000 Afghan refugees living in camps as they frequently visited their native country and brought virus to local children from there.
According to them, both KP and Afghanistan have been transporting polio virus to each other for the last few years and therefore, many children have gotten infected.
The IPV doses to Afghan children are meant to strengthen their immunity against polio especially during their visit to polio-endemic areas in Afghanistan with parents.
The experts declared the development a major breakthrough in the country’s anti-polio efforts but said the health department needed sustained efforts to further improve performance on the polio eradication front.
They said the refugee children were continuously given oral polio vaccine in every campaign by the health department, which covered around 5.4 million children under the age of five years.
The experts said the only effective way for polio’s eradication from parts of Afghanistan, Khyber Agency and Peshawar, the regional epidemiological block hampering the worldwide polio eradication efforts, was to carry out vaccination drives covering all children, who remained missed or weren’t immunised due to their parents’ refusal.
They said polio had been eradicated from the entire world except Pakistan and Afghanistan with the help of the same technique.
Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2016
PESHAWAR: The water in Peshawar, one of the polio reservoirs as declared by the World Health Organisation, is free of polio virus, now.
The development comes as the environmental water samples taken from Shaheen Muslim Town in Peshawar have tested negative for polio virus for the first time since November last year mainly due to quality vaccination campaigns, say Islamabad-based health experts.
According to the experts, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa health department collects samples from sewerage water from three sites located at Shaheen Muslim Town, Larama and Dhando Pul areas to examine presence of polio virus.
Water samples from Shaheen Muslim Town test negative for virus for first time since November last
The May sample’s results suggested that there was no virus in water taken from Shaheen Muslim Town.
The two other sites have already been testing negative for polio virus.
The experts told Dawn that Shaheen Muslim Town was a major source of worry for the authorities engaged in the polio eradication efforts in the province.
They said Peshawar, which had recorded one of the total six cases detected in the province this year, than 10 in corresponding period last year, was one of the high-risk districts as it received migrant children from Fata as well as Afghanistan on daily basis.
The experts said the negativity of the environmental sample was a marked success by the province, considering the population movement from areas in Afghanistan, where the virus was in full circulation.
They said the sample report, which had yet to be formally released by the department, was the result of the past few effective campaigns in Peshawar, which also served as transit point for more 10,000 children visiting it from other districts every day.
The experts said the Shaheen Muslim Town water testing negative for polio virus had also confirmed that around 20 union councils were safe as polio virus was non-existent in both, the people and water.
They said water samples from as many UCs had long been free from virus in the city located near Fata.
The experts said vaccinators in 15 districts of the province had administered injectable polio vaccine to 170,000 Afghan refugees living in camps as they frequently visited their native country and brought virus to local children from there.
According to them, both KP and Afghanistan have been transporting polio virus to each other for the last few years and therefore, many children have gotten infected.
The IPV doses to Afghan children are meant to strengthen their immunity against polio especially during their visit to polio-endemic areas in Afghanistan with parents.
The experts declared the development a major breakthrough in the country’s anti-polio efforts but said the health department needed sustained efforts to further improve performance on the polio eradication front.
They said the refugee children were continuously given oral polio vaccine in every campaign by the health department, which covered around 5.4 million children under the age of five years.
The experts said the only effective way for polio’s eradication from parts of Afghanistan, Khyber Agency and Peshawar, the regional epidemiological block hampering the worldwide polio eradication efforts, was to carry out vaccination drives covering all children, who remained missed or weren’t immunised due to their parents’ refusal.
They said polio had been eradicated from the entire world except Pakistan and Afghanistan with the help of the same technique.
Published in Dawn, June 5th, 2016
BetterPakistan
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K-P budget: ‘Funds will be allocated for transgender people’
PESHAWAR: The rights of transgender people will be protected, while funds will be allocated for their welfare in the budget to be announced later in June.
This was said by Adviser to CM on Information Mushtaq Ghani during a meeting with people who are transgender and social activists at the DC’s office on Monday.
“Like other segments of society, issues of people who are transgender will be addressed on a priority basis,” Ghani said. He added the government was devising a comprehensive policy for their welfare, medical treatment and employment.
‘End discrimination against transgender people’
He further stated a committee, comprising the deputy commissioner and officials of the social welfare department, will be formed to devise the plan.
He maintained people who are transgender would also be provided financial support by the K-P government in order to help them with household expenses. Ghani pointed out, “Besides, registration of people who are transgender with social welfare department, setting up of an endowment fund is also under consideration.”
Meanwhile, people who are transgender demanded protection and implementation of a government job quota in light of Supreme Court’s judgment.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.
==============================================================
Satisfied: ADB happy with 356 mini-micro hydel stations
PESHAWAR: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the provincial government to construct 356 mini-micro hydel stations in underdeveloped areas where people are deprived of electricity.
The bank has also started a plan to increase mini-micro hydel stations from 1,000 to 1,500 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
This was stated by a delegation of the bank, led by ADB official Adnan Tareen. He met Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation Chief Executive Officer Akbar Ayub Khan to discuss the expansion of mini-micro hydel stations in the province.
Ayub told the ADB delegation the incumbent government intended to build 356 mini-micro hydel stations in 12 districts of the province under the energy action plan on a fast track basis.
“Construction work is continuing on rapidly and so far more than 40 power plants have already been built,” Ayub said.
He added that these power stations are being built through local NGOs in underdeveloped areas.
He said the estimated cost of these 356 mini-micro stations is about Rs 5 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.
PESHAWAR: The rights of transgender people will be protected, while funds will be allocated for their welfare in the budget to be announced later in June.
This was said by Adviser to CM on Information Mushtaq Ghani during a meeting with people who are transgender and social activists at the DC’s office on Monday.
“Like other segments of society, issues of people who are transgender will be addressed on a priority basis,” Ghani said. He added the government was devising a comprehensive policy for their welfare, medical treatment and employment.
‘End discrimination against transgender people’
He further stated a committee, comprising the deputy commissioner and officials of the social welfare department, will be formed to devise the plan.
He maintained people who are transgender would also be provided financial support by the K-P government in order to help them with household expenses. Ghani pointed out, “Besides, registration of people who are transgender with social welfare department, setting up of an endowment fund is also under consideration.”
Meanwhile, people who are transgender demanded protection and implementation of a government job quota in light of Supreme Court’s judgment.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.
==============================================================
Satisfied: ADB happy with 356 mini-micro hydel stations
PESHAWAR: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has expressed satisfaction over the efforts of the provincial government to construct 356 mini-micro hydel stations in underdeveloped areas where people are deprived of electricity.
The bank has also started a plan to increase mini-micro hydel stations from 1,000 to 1,500 in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
This was stated by a delegation of the bank, led by ADB official Adnan Tareen. He met Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation Chief Executive Officer Akbar Ayub Khan to discuss the expansion of mini-micro hydel stations in the province.
Ayub told the ADB delegation the incumbent government intended to build 356 mini-micro hydel stations in 12 districts of the province under the energy action plan on a fast track basis.
“Construction work is continuing on rapidly and so far more than 40 power plants have already been built,” Ayub said.
He added that these power stations are being built through local NGOs in underdeveloped areas.
He said the estimated cost of these 356 mini-micro stations is about Rs 5 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 7th, 2016.
BetterPakistan
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K-P police to keep a watch from the sky
PESHAWAR: The K-P police have established a committee for recommendations on the purchase of aerial drones. These will be used to conduct surveillance on all seven police regions of the province and help law-enforcers keep a strict vigilance on the overall security situation, official sources told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.
An official said the need for aerial surveillance was important in modern-day policing. A committee was established by K-P IGP Nasir Khan Durrani and asked to forward its recommendations in this regard.
“Drones are commonplace nowadays and easily available commercially. These are aerial cameras which can fly over specific locations and provide a bird’s-eye view,” the official added. “As a result of its commercial availability, the K-P police have decided to buy it for the police.” He said the committee had been assigned with the task of looking for different available options in this regard and forward its recommendations for a final decision.
CTD rounds up two ‘Afghan spies’ from Peshawar
“There are different models available commercially in various categories and price ranges. There are drones that can be purchased for as low as Rs50,000 apiece and can remain in the air for 30 minutes. At the same time, there are those ones which could cost thousands of rupees and are equipped with high definition video cameras. These also have greater range, but we have to decide which variety suits police the best,” he added. The official said the committee had been assigned with the task of determining the exact requirements of the seven police regions.
“We have to determine how many drones we need and the exact requirement of each region. What we really need is quality, reliability and a machine capable of high endurance,” the official said.
When contacted, the IGP confirmed to The Express Tribune that K-P police needed aerial cameras for surveillance purposes and had formed a committee in this regard.
“Yes, we need aerial surveillance and we want to buy these flying machines. A committee has been formed and it will soon submit its recommendations,” Durrani said.
The best fit
When it comes to surveillance, drones are considered highly effective.
There are devices in which various characteristics can be added. For instance, devices can be equipped with infra-red cameras, night vision cameras as well as live feed video cameras. Through these, live videos can be sent to the control rooms.
Line of duty : 21 arrested, constable injured in Charsadda
Then there are military drones that can stay up in the air for hours and can go far from their control room. However, these machines are more expensive and more effective. They also require a runway for take-off.
The Pakistan Army also operates several locally developed reconnaissance UAVs.
Most commercial drones operate on a battery, but military drones are powered by gasoline engines. Therefore they can operate for a very limited period.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2016.
PESHAWAR: The K-P police have established a committee for recommendations on the purchase of aerial drones. These will be used to conduct surveillance on all seven police regions of the province and help law-enforcers keep a strict vigilance on the overall security situation, official sources told The Express Tribune on Tuesday.
An official said the need for aerial surveillance was important in modern-day policing. A committee was established by K-P IGP Nasir Khan Durrani and asked to forward its recommendations in this regard.
“Drones are commonplace nowadays and easily available commercially. These are aerial cameras which can fly over specific locations and provide a bird’s-eye view,” the official added. “As a result of its commercial availability, the K-P police have decided to buy it for the police.” He said the committee had been assigned with the task of looking for different available options in this regard and forward its recommendations for a final decision.
CTD rounds up two ‘Afghan spies’ from Peshawar
“There are different models available commercially in various categories and price ranges. There are drones that can be purchased for as low as Rs50,000 apiece and can remain in the air for 30 minutes. At the same time, there are those ones which could cost thousands of rupees and are equipped with high definition video cameras. These also have greater range, but we have to decide which variety suits police the best,” he added. The official said the committee had been assigned with the task of determining the exact requirements of the seven police regions.
“We have to determine how many drones we need and the exact requirement of each region. What we really need is quality, reliability and a machine capable of high endurance,” the official said.
When contacted, the IGP confirmed to The Express Tribune that K-P police needed aerial cameras for surveillance purposes and had formed a committee in this regard.
“Yes, we need aerial surveillance and we want to buy these flying machines. A committee has been formed and it will soon submit its recommendations,” Durrani said.
The best fit
When it comes to surveillance, drones are considered highly effective.
There are devices in which various characteristics can be added. For instance, devices can be equipped with infra-red cameras, night vision cameras as well as live feed video cameras. Through these, live videos can be sent to the control rooms.
Line of duty : 21 arrested, constable injured in Charsadda
Then there are military drones that can stay up in the air for hours and can go far from their control room. However, these machines are more expensive and more effective. They also require a runway for take-off.
The Pakistan Army also operates several locally developed reconnaissance UAVs.
Most commercial drones operate on a battery, but military drones are powered by gasoline engines. Therefore they can operate for a very limited period.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 8th, 2016.
AZADPAKISTAN2009
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Medical Insurance coverage for 12 Million people (50% population) is indeed a great universal achivement for KPK government , considering how long it took US to implement same meassures for their 50 states
Paragraph taken from posts above
“The percentage of the population, whose premium will be paid, will be determined by the provincial government – it is expected to be up to 50% of the population [which makes 12,800,000 individuals] of the whole province, including over 1.83 million families.
The document read annual benefits for one family for secondary care was Rs0.21 million whereas that for one family annually at tertiary care health facilities was around Rs0.25 million. It added pre-hospitalisation care [one day] and post-hospitalisation [five days] will also be part of the package.
KPK is providing Medical care for 50% of Province !!! Just wow
Paragraph taken from posts above
“The percentage of the population, whose premium will be paid, will be determined by the provincial government – it is expected to be up to 50% of the population [which makes 12,800,000 individuals] of the whole province, including over 1.83 million families.
The document read annual benefits for one family for secondary care was Rs0.21 million whereas that for one family annually at tertiary care health facilities was around Rs0.25 million. It added pre-hospitalisation care [one day] and post-hospitalisation [five days] will also be part of the package.
KPK is providing Medical care for 50% of Province !!! Just wow
